335th Theater Signal Command Soldier wins powerlifting competition in Europe

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Terry Butler, current operations officer for the 335th Theater Signal Command, takes part in the United States All Armed Forces European Powerlifting Championships. Butler won the overall competition, lifting a combined weight of 1,625 pounds for squats, bench press and dead lift. The overall winner is calculated by body weight and amount lifted.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

05.16.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

By Lt. Col. Mike Walton
MNF-I Coalition Information Sharing

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — Constant discipline coupled with a desire to compete at the highest level recently brought Capt. Terry Butler the recognition he had long sought in the world of powerlifting.

Butler trained for the United States All Armed Forces European powerlifting Championships in April while assigned to the 335th Theater Signal Command (Provisional) at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, supporting Third Army/U.S. Army Central.

The top lifter overall at the competition — measured by comparing body weight to amount lifted — was 182-pound Butler, who totaled 1,625 pounds of squats, bench press and dead lift.

Butler, a native of Altoona, Pa., was the only Soldier currently assigned to a combat zone who competed. He serves as the current operations officer in the 335th's operations directorate.

At night, he transforms into a fitness machine, lifting various weights, holding them upwards for seconds and then lowering them to the floor.

His powerlifting career began in 1996, when he began playing football for Gannon University in Erie, Pa.

"I started getting serious about lifting, in order to get stronger, faster and better at football," said Butler, who played linebacker at Gannon. "I wanted to prove that even though I was only a freshman, I could be as strong as the seniors on the team."

Butler also played three years of semi-pro football in Rothenberg, Germany.

His powerlifting career hit a detour in 2006, when he was reactivated from the ready reserve and back to active duty. At the time he was called back, he was working as an information assurance manager for the Department of the Army in Wurzburg, Germany.

"Being called back to duty to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom has been a very hard time in my life," said Butler. "But I would not let this set me back from accomplishing the goals in my life."

According to Butler, mental toughness is just as important as physical strength.

"Powerlifting is as much of a mental game as it is a physical strength game," said Butler. "If you do not have your head on straight and believe that you will lift the weight then you can forget about doing it."

Butler uses the same drive and determination in his workouts to help him perform his duties with the 335th.

"You do not have to go around the gym like a tough guy for people to notice, "said Butler. "People will know who does the work, and when it comes down to crunch time, they will always come to you or expect you to take the lead."

Lt. Col. Deborah Vacik, chief of operations division for the 335th, is Butler's supervisor at work.

"He has always accomplished every mission with dedication and professionalism, never letting his situation interfere with the completion of his duties," said Vacik.

Butler is also the 335th's Master Fitness Trainer.

He regularly lends his personal training skills to help Soldiers within the command.

"I always tell them results do not come easy; if they did, then everyone would be a world record holder, and Olympian or Mr. Olympia," said Butler. "If you work hard, you will see results."

• Date Taken: 05.16.2007
• Date Posted: 05.16.2007 10:59
• Story ID: 10409
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW